Translation guide
How to express the English phrasal verb 'get through' in Japanese, covering meanings like finishing something difficult, making contact, passing through, and enduring.
To manage to finish a task, period of time, or difficult situation.
Emphasizes completing something through effort, often a challenging task or goal.
I somehow got through this work.
To overcome a difficult period or situation, like a crisis or tough week.
If I get through this week, next week will be easier.
Simply means 'to finish' something. Less nuance of difficulty, but common for tasks.
I have to get through these documents by the end of today.
To successfully reach someone via telephone or other communication.
Literally 'the phone connects'. Used when you finally get through to someone after trying.
I called many times and finally got through.
To be able to contact someone, not limited to phone calls. Implies reaching them successfully.
I'm worried because I can't get through to him.
Can mean 'to get through' for calls, but also 'to be understood'. Context-dependent.
To move through a crowded area, checkpoint, or obstacle.
To pass through a place, often implying moving from one side to the other, like a crowd or tunnel.
It took time to get through the crowd.
Formal word for 'pass through', used for checkpoints, exams, or gates.
Casual way to say 'go through' or 'exit', often used for tunnels or alleys.
To live through a hardship, illness, or emotional pain.
To endure something completely until it's over, emphasizing perseverance.
He got through a long illness.
To survive or live through something, often life-threatening.
To overcome a difficulty or emotional hurdle, similar to 'get over'.
To go through a supply of something quickly or completely.
The English phrasal verb 'get through' has no single Japanese equivalent. Always choose the expression based on the specific meaning you want to convey. Using a direct translation like 通る (tooru) for 'get through a task' will sound unnatural.
電話が通じない。
I can't get through on the phone.
You need a passport to get through the checkpoint.
When you get through this tunnel, you can see the ocean.
戦争を生き抜いた人々の話を聞いた。
I heard stories of people who got through the war.
It takes time to get through grief.